Iguacu E

Iguacu

Foz do Iguacu

The Iguazu Cataratas are situated in the province of Misiones in Argentina and in the State of Parana on the Brazilian side, The falls are located on the Iguazu river and they divide the river in two, the upper and lower level.

The falls have 275 cascades that form a horseshoe stretching 2.7 km. Two thirds of the falls are located on the Argentine side.
This falls are a result of a volcanic eruption leaving a large crack in the earth where the water flows into the lower level and the Parana river.

This falls were name by the native Guaranì people and Iguazu means; "Big waters".

Visiting the falls in March 2015 I came away with the opinion that what makes these falls different, interesting and awe inspiring for the tourist is the fact that you don't just stand and look at the falls cascading down into a canon like you do with most of the others listed on the top ten waterfalls of the world.

Visiting these falls you can feel, breathe and experience the awe of their magnificence as you walk through the trails, bridges and boardwalks offering the tourist many opportunities to see individual falls up close and hear the deafening  cascading of the water.

you will observe native fauna and flora and you need  to be aware of the cheeky coates who just love the goodies  tourists have in their backpacks.

If the day is partly cloudy with glimpses of sun you will enjoy rainbows and following the rainbows many butterflies will emerge for your enjoyment.

There are two circuits, circuit superior and circuit inferior, the upper circuit is approximately one km and you will walk to the lovely viewing points along the upper rim of the falls.

The lower level is a longer walk at the bottom end of the falls here you arrive at the two main lookouts which bring you to Dos Hermanas and Salto Bossete.

Another attraction for your enjoyment is the small train that carries you approximately one kilometer to La garganta del Diablo, This horseshoe of falls is absolutely stunning.

You will need a full day to enjoy all this area has to offer but I would recommend two days to soak it all up. You can purchase a two day pass at the park entrance at a reduced rate.

The town Puerto Iguazu is quaint and pretty. It has a real tourist feel to it with many restaurants, bars, cafes and souvenirs. The accommodation in this town caters for all tastes and pockets both affordable and luxury.

While staying  in this town you can visit the falls on the Brasilian side by driving approximately twenty minutes to the border where you go through immigration and then on to The Nacional Parque Iguaçu and the Brasilian visitors center. At the visitors center you purchase tickets which includes your entrance to the park and the bus ticket. You then board one of the many buses which transport you to the beginning of the park where you meet the track which you walk along to view the falls.

The path is approximately two kilometers long. At the beginning of the path the tourist experiences the panoramic views of the falls on the Argentinian side. There are a number of viewing platforms along the path for photo opportunities. Eventually you reach a spectacular extended platform with magestics views of La Garganta del Diablo- The Devils Throat. This platform is perched over these stunningly powerful and deafening cascade plunging into an invisible destination.

Finally you take an escalator to the viewing platform at the very top of the falls at Puerto Canoas. Words cannot describe the splendour of what you will see.

In my opinion these falls are a must on Your Bucketlist is they are one of the worlds awe inspiring sights for you to see and experience.

Next to the entrance to the park in Brazil there is a zoo too with animals of the surroundings. The animals mostly came from smugglers or private persons who treated them badly.

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Nacional Park Tayrona - E

Nationalpark Tayrona

Whenever you are near Santa Marta, go to the near  National park Tayrona by bus. But the park is not cheap:

• The entrance fee is high
• there are different restaurants, mostly expensive, and one shop.
• Hotels are expensive or more expensive. But there exists the possibility to hire a hammock. The hammocks are located under a roof side by side and protected with a mosquito net. The service is more or less the same as at a camping area. Well, camping with your own tent is possible too.

      

In Tayrona there are different paths , from most frequented until deserted. At the deserted ones you can watch different animals ( we saw 2 different species of monkeys).
At the beach there is no underwater world, but the water is crystal clear. But you can hire boats to snorkel or dive.

The national park has 3 different entrances on 3 different points, you must pay at each one. For the second entrance you need a private car or you must hire a taxi, there are no local buses. Only the third entrance is next to the bus station. It is most expensive but has the best service.

Ilha do mel - E

Ilha do mel

Not far away from Cotijuba you can find a paradise for tourists, that seems to be left naturally: Ilha do mel.

You can take the bus from Cotijuba, on weekends also a tourist train with tourist fee, but through a nice landscape, but only to Paranguá. The tour by train is an attraction, therefore longer than going by bus. From Paranguá you have to take the bus to reach the harbor for ilha do mel, but it is only a short way.

The island consists of 2 parts, the northern one is a reservation and only open for tourists at the beach. The southern part has nice trails through the forest. Starting from the middle of the island you can walk at about 2 hours to the south. We took a boat to the middle of the island and the next day another boat back to the continent.

On the island there are only bikes and motorbikes, no cars. Normally you can walk and watch birds and lizards, protected by the woods from the sun and mostly plain.

In the tense middle of the island and in the south you have harbors with regular boat-connection to the continent. Next to the harbors there are small shops and accomodation with different prices.

The coast itself is vacant with few exceptions and you can find wonderful beaches at any taste. What about severage collection - we did not find out. the fact is that I got an infection at the island, probably by dirty water in the sea.

To reach the south of the island, we had to pass a portal of stone . Wild and romantic :))